Rewards

Update:

Wt. 249 lbs.
Net Cal for 7/14/2011 -331 cal

I've been thinking about what Kaiser is doing for the KP Walk program, giving rewards for set achievments. I have already received the lanyard and t-shirt.  I kept thinking how silly it is that a 40 year old woman is excited about receiving a lanyard, but I was.

I have set rewards for myself as well.  When I get to 240 lbs and stay there, I get to buy some ear cuffs that I want.  When I get below 215 lbs, there is a leather wrist cuff I want.  I have also told myself, if I get to my goal weight of 155 lbs and maintain for a year, I get a motorcycle.  Yet, even with these "carrots", I am bouncing between 247 lbs and 254 lbs.  I've had these rewards in mind for over a year, doesn't seem to be working.  Yet when the reward is coming from outside it seems to make more of an impact.

It is the validation that I am doing something well that makes it worth working for.  The funny thing, it takes more than a good job.  I was on Weight Watchers Online and there was a lot of positive reinforcement verbally and through gaining virtual rewards.  There is something about having something physical coming from an outside source that makes it different.  I wear my lanyard proudly.  My t-shirt was a little small, so I am working to get into it.  Once it fits, I will wear it proudly to work and in the community. 

It seems that for the KP Walkers, these physical rewards are working.  There are posts on the wall daily about someone who has earned their lanyard or back pack.  These are people within the Kaiser system nation wide who are working toward health with the support of our corporation. 

So in my personal life, how do I create the same type of system.  Not just the physical rewards, but the validation that comes from your environment.  I don't have the answer, but what I can say is that it is a new revelation for me and I will need time to explore this.

Successes: Great walk at lunch today, have a plan for walking and Geocaching with the twins this weekend
Barriers: Today, no barriers :)